| There is a lot to consider when you want to keep a | | | | and temperature control so your turtle can lead a |
| turtle or terrapin as a pet. Some people assume, | | | | happy life and feels comfortable while switching |
| wrongly as it turns out, that having a pet turtle is an | | | | environments as well. The lighting especially should be |
| easy task and does not require a lot of time or | | | | as close to daylight as possible so the turtle can |
| work. | | | | follow the natural rhythms of the day. |
| While it is easier in most respects to keep a turtle as | | | | In fact, you can even have your aquarium outdoors |
| a pet versus, say, a dog that requires loads of time | | | | as long as you're sure there are no 'predators' (dogs |
| and hands-on care, you need to understand that pet | | | | or other pets) around that are going to harass, |
| turtles also deserve a lot of attention and love and | | | | traumatize or even kill your turtle. |
| can live for many decades. | | | | There should also be a constant supply of fresh |
| In fact, some turtles can live up to a hundred years | | | | water available for them which should generally be |
| or more so you should be prepared for a pet that will | | | | placed between the two aquariums or in their dry |
| last you all your life, if not outlive you! | | | | environment. And keep an eye out for any changes |
| One of the key things to remember when bringing | | | | in your pet's behavior or appearance. |
| home a turtle or terrapin is that most of them need | | | | Some diseases or illnesses manifest themselves as |
| exactly the right kind of environment. Or two | | | | odd behavior (not eating, not moving etc) or as |
| environments, rather, a dry one and a wet, or damp, | | | | changes in the shells (lighter color, texture going |
| one. You can have two aquariums for this, or even | | | | funny and so forth). So keep that eagle eye out and |
| one aquarium made to your specifications, but make | | | | check your pets regularly. |
| sure you've got enough space in your house | | | | It is possible to form a bond with your pet turtle as |
| somewhere for this. | | | | long as you are committed to spending time with it |
| You will also need to provide the right kind of lighting | | | | and to being a good pet owner. |